9 April 1916 – More crashes

It remains significantly more likely that RFC crew will be involved in a crash than shot down by enemy fire.

Today, six aircraft suffered a variety of mishaps

2nd Lieutenant Sidney Ernest Parker and Lieutenant Douglas Carruthers of 1 Squadron overshot their airstrip on landing, ran into a hedge and flipped their Morane BB (5142). Both escaped with minor injuries.

Capt David Edmund Stodart and 2nd Lieutenant Harry Sanders Robertson of 4 Squadron crashed their BE2c (2608) on landing at Baizieux aerodrome. The aircraft was burnt out and Stodart was injured.

Their colleague, Lieutenant Allan Higson Smith also crashed at Baizieux, turning his Bristol Scout (5300) on its nose on landing.

2nd Lieutenants Frank Harold Furness Williams and Stanley Frederick Polhill of 6 Squadron made a forced landing in a ploughed field and ran into a ditch in their BE2c (2679).

Their colleagues 2nd Lieutenant Guy Langham Godden and Lieutenant DC Moncrieff also wrecked their BE2c (2082) on landing back at their aerodrome. Moncrieff was injured.

Finally, 2nd Lieutenant Dougall Cushing of 29 Squadron crashed his DH2 (5959) on landing.

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